Most countries of the world operate fleets of merchant ships. However, due to the high costs of operations, today these fleets are in many cases sailing under the flags of nations that specialize in providing manpower and services at favourable terms. Such flags are known as "flags of convenience". Currently, Liberia and Panama are particularly favoured. Ownership of the vessels can be by any country, however.

The Greek-owned fleet is the largest in the world. Today, the Greek fleet accounts for some 16 per cent of the world’s tonnage; this makes it currently the largest single international merchant fleet in the world, albeit not the largest in history.

Most countries of the world operate fleets of merchant ships. However, due to the high costs of operations, today these fleets are in many cases sailing under the flags of nations that specialize in providing manpower and services at favourable terms. Such flags are known as "flags of convenience". Currently, Liberia and Panama are particularly favoured. Ownership of the vessels can be by any country, however.

The Greek-owned fleet is the largest in the world. Today, the Greek fleet accounts for some 16 per cent of the world’s tonnage; this makes it currently the largest single international merchant fleet in the world, albeit not the largest in history.

The Home Office confirmed that the BorderForce responded, finding nine people on a small vessel who had landed close to Folkestone harbour ... Another vessel, containing 10 Iranian men, was intercepted off the Kent coast at 9.15am. Shortly after 2pm, a third boat carrying five people was met by a merchantvessel off Ramsgate....

Dozens of migrants and refugees aboard a merchantvessel at a Libyan port are refusing to disembark for fear of "detention and torture", rights watchdog Amnesty International said on Friday ... a Panamanian flagged merchantvessel "in clear breach of international law", Amnesty said....

Libyan, European and Panamanian authorities must ensure that at least 79 refugees and migrants who are on board a merchantvessel at the port of Misratah are not forced to disembark to be taken to a Libyan detention centre where they could face torture and other abuse, said Amnesty International today....

Libyan, European and Panamanian authorities must ensure that at least 79 refugees and migrants who are on board a merchantvessel at the port of Misratah are not forced to disembark to be taken to a Libyan detention centre where they could face torture and other abuse, said Amnesty International today. ... ....